E+ Parker Terrace Housing

Studio G Architects worked with Truth Box, D+P Real Estate and Peregrine Urban Initiative to design high performance “deep green” housing in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood. The program focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of multi-unit residential buildings that contribute surplus clean energy to the power grid. The proposed development consists of 45 residential units: 7 rowhouse condos at Parker Street; 30 rental flats at Terrace Street North; and 8 2BR duplex apartments at Terrace Street South. Street level commercial space links this lively new development to the existing urban fabric of historic industrial buildings on Terrace Street, which currently lacks a pedestrian streetscape. An underground garage with electric charging stations and ample bicycle storage tucks parking out of site.

The design responds at Parker Street to the adjacent building types and historic patterns of use, and the density and building massing at Terrace Street respond to the larger scale of historic and existing industrial buildings, which offering a new pedestrian-friendly facade. The site is organized around three primary green spaces and a landscaped ‘spine’. Environmentally focused art will be deployed, and storm water will be collected and used for irrigation throughout the site. The project will surpass LEED Platinum and produce 250 KWH of renewable energy. Buildings are located to take advantage of passive solar heating, windows are sized and shaded per façade direction, with shading devices at all south-facing windows. Appropriately-sized mechanical systems significantly reduce power loads; with photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal panels, the buildings generate more than electricity and hot water than residents need. Interactive energy performance data is displayed in lobbies and residential units to increase occupant awareness and E+ goals.